Lee Daniels will return as director of the upcoming Jay Z-produced Richard Pryor biopic, Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?.Weinstein Company head Harvey Weinstein announced the news at a press conference Thursday.
Jay Z and Weinstein were on hand to discuss their upcoming Spike TV docuseries about Kalief Browder,a 16-year-old who was imprisoned on Rikers Island for three years without conviction and later took his own life after his release. Later in the press conference, Weinstein touched on Is It Something I Said?, which Daniels left in May. At the time, there were no specific reasons given for Daniels departure, nor did Weinstein discuss why the director was able to return at the press conference.
I can tell you that Jay is going to produce the Richard Pryor movie with Lee Daniels directing, Weinstein said. Each time, I think youll see these projects be something that hit the cultural zeitgeist. One day well find something really commercial now to do. But not now.
Jay then jumped in, first chiding Weinstein by noting, You dont get more commercial [than Pryor], then discussing the comedians vast influence. His story is an American story, the rapper said. Youll understand how many lives hes touched, from every single comedian to rappers like Biggie Smalls, who I wont recite the lyric because weve got Ms. Browder in the audience. But yall know the lyrics. (On Me and My Bitch, Biggie paraphrased Pryors Wino and Junkie routine with the line, You look so good huh, I suck on your daddys dick.)
Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?will star Mike Epps as the comedian, Eddie Murphy as his abusive father, LeRoy Buck Carter Pryor, and Oprah Winfrey as his brothel-running grandmother, Marie Carter. Kate Hudson has also signed on to play Pryors fourth (and, after divorcing and then remarrying, seventh and final) wife, Jennifer Lee Pryor, whileOscar-winner Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Kinsey, Chicago) is writing the script.
Additional reporting by Kory Grow
Posting Komentar
Posting Komentar